State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 02 Dec 2025

Air Marshal Tejbir Singh Appointed DG (Inspection & Safety)

Why in News? 

Air Marshal Tejbir Singh took charge as Director General (Inspection and Safety) at Air Headquarters on 1st December 2025.

Key Points 

• Career Span: He brings 37 years of distinguished service, holding key command and staff roles including Air Attaché to Bangladesh, Senior Directing Staff at the National Defence College, and Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Transport & Helicopters). 
• Education: He is an alumnus of the Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom. 
• Operational Expertise: With over 7,000 flying hours, he pioneered the induction of the C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ aircraft and established the first Special Operations Squadron for joint missions. 
• Command Roles: He has commanded two major flying bases, a premier training base and a frontline airbase in the Northern sector, and most recently led training transformation as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Training Command. 
• Honours & Succession: A recipient of the Vayu Sena Medal (2010) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2018), he succeeds Air Marshal Makarand Bhaskar Ranade, who retired on 30th November 2025 after 39 years of service. 

India to Acquire Satellite-Linked Heron Mk II UAVs

Why in News? 

India has placed fresh emergency procurement orders for additional satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) following lessons from Operation Sindoor.

Key Points 

• Tri-Service Induction: The Army and Air Force are expanding their existing Heron Mk II fleets, while the Navy is inducting the platform for the first time. 
  • The Indian Navy will shift from older Israeli Searcher UAVs to the more advanced Heron Mk II platform for maritime surveillance. 
• Operational Deployment: The Indian Army has already positioned Heron Mk II drones at forward bases in the northern sector for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties. 
• Combat Value: UAVs like the Heron Mk II are crucial for detecting, tracking and neutralising high-value threats, including advanced air defence systems. 
• Emergency Limits: Under emergency procurement rules, systems worth up to ₹300 crore can be acquired without lengthy procedures. 
• Indigenisation Push: Israeli defence industries are collaborating with Indian public and private companies to localise production, training, maintenance and system integration in line with “Make in India”.

Heron Mk II  

• High Performance: Heron Mk II is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV capable of carrying nearly 500 kg of payload and flying continuously for over 24 hours. 
• Advanced Sensors: It provides all-weather intelligence through Synthetic Aperture Radar, electro-optical systems and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) sensors. 
• Remote Operations: Encrypted satellite communication and fully automated take-off/landing enable beyond-line-of-sight missions, flexible planning and deployment across varied operational theatres. 

Vivek Chaturvedi Appointed as CBIC Chief

Why in News?

Vivek Chaturvedi, a 1990-batch IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer, has been appointed Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. 

• He will succeed Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who superannuated on 30th November 2025. 

Key Points 

• He has over three decades of experience in customs administration, intelligence, vigilance, data analytics, and risk management. 
• He currently serves as a Member (Tax Policy & Legal) on CBIC, and previously joined the Board after succeeding Vivek Ranjan. 
• He also brings international exposure from his stint as First Secretary in Brussels (2007–2011) with the Ministry of External Affairs, considered valuable for shaping next-generation customs reforms. 
• As Chairman, he becomes a key figure in preparations for the 2026–27 Union Budget, especially for indirect taxes, amid GST rate changes and the need to maintain revenue buoyancy. 
• He is expected to lead the next phase of customs modernisation, focusing on digitisation, faster clearances, tighter compliance, and a more technology-driven GST and customs ecosystem. 

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs 

• Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (erstwhile Central Board of Excise & Customs) is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.  
• It deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods & Services Tax and IGST, prevention of smuggling and administration of matters relating to Customs, Central Excise, Central Goods & Services Tax, IGST and Narcotics to the extent under CBIC's purview.  
• The Board is the administrative authority for its subordinate organisations, including Custom Houses, Central Excise and Central GST Commissionerates and the Central Revenues Control Laboratory. 

53rd Foundation Day of ALIMCO

Why in News? 

The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) marked its 53rd Foundation Day by unveiling a new corporate logo and launching two mobility solutions — a 3-Wheeler Electric Vehicle (EV) Scooter and a Clip-on Motorised Wheelchair. 

• ALIMCO announced collaborations with over 80 start-ups, technology transfer initiatives, and the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)–assisted and smart digital assistive technologies to deliver high-quality, affordable aids nationwide. 

Key Points 

• Status: Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is a Schedule ‘C’ Miniratna Category II Central Public Sector Enterprise registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, operating under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 
• Ownership: It is a 100% Government-owned Central Public Sector Enterprise. 
• Objective: ALIMCO’s core purpose is to benefit persons with disabilities by manufacturing rehabilitation aids and ensuring widespread availability, supply, and distribution of artificial limbs and assistive devices across the country. 
• Non-Profit Focus: Operating without a profit motive, its primary aim is to provide high-quality aids and appliances at reasonable prices to the maximum number of persons with disabilities. 
• Outreach Expansion: To widen coverage under the Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) Scheme, ALIMCO has begun establishing Pradhanmantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at National Institutes and regional centres under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. 
• Uniqueness: ALIMCO is the only manufacturing organisation in India producing a complete range of assistive devices under one roof for all categories of disabilities.